The news about me at the shopping district last day spread like wildfire. Some exaggerated the story, saying that I bravely jumped in when the shopkeeper's about to get hit. There are also stories saying that I made the rogue cry and beg on his knees. Nevertheless, all of it gained me popularity and positive perspectives.
Today, I am on my way to the palace's library to meet Randelle for another lessons. That guy abruptly exerted more effort and enthusiasm in teaching me after the incident last day occurred. As I see fit, he was inspired by my display of intelligence and is inspired to see how much more I could grow. Or maybe he grew a sapling of pride in him as an official professor. Knowing his petty side, the latter seems to fit more accurately.
["I still like that guy, though."] And here he goes again.
"Randelle won't like you, though. You're the demon king afterall, the greatest enemy of Reinngold Kingdom. Especially for the ones who works in the Golden Tower."
["Thank you, that was ecstatic to hear."]
"It's not a compliment, however." Apollion laughed.
"Hey, Apollion. I have been wondering about this lately..." I get no response, he suddenly get silent.
"Hey, you there?"
["Shh... someone's following you."] He warned that made me on guard. Who the hell is following me at this moment, and why?
I continued to walk down the hallway with wariness and my eyes looking at every direction to spot someone suspicious. As I turned my vision partially at my back, I saw the figure of Aynnah hiding behind a pillar. I stopped at my tracks and called her out. "Aynnah, what are you doing in there?" She came out from hiding and walks towards me. Shit. Did she heard me talking to someone?
"I just want to join you on your lessons today, but I couldn't find a way to approach you. Can I join you?" She asked in a polite manner. I got curious as to why she wants to join me, so I asked her.
"You were astounding at the shopping district last day, I want to know what kind of classes and lectures you are taking to be able to stand so proud that time." I got a feeling that there's something more to it that she just don't want to say but I can't get suspicious for now.
"I'm taking Law and Codes lectures today with Randelle, you can come with me." Her smile didn't reached her eyes, she also doesn't seem to be interested in joining me in my lessons. As an 11 year old kid, she has to work hard on her facial expressions if she wants to deceive someone. And I am a total idiot for not noticing these minor things before, well, I am also a child back then.
Books, papers and pen scattered on my table as I, together with Aynnah, pays attention to the lesson at the library.
"Saints and Saintesses are not bound by human laws, why is that?" Randelle asked a question regarding to today's lecture.
I raised my right hand and answered. "Saints and Saintesses are not bound by human laws because they are not in the jurisdictions of human territories. However, they have an obligation to protect and look after humans in exchange for giving them oblation and worshipping them."
Centuries ago, when the time the Demon King was still reigning the lands, Saints and Saintesses offered their help and allegiance to humans in order to defeat the Demon King. However, humans must offer them something in return, like gifts and such, in exchange for their help. Until now, it is the basic practice in the Kingdom that the more offerings humans can give, the more and stronger protection they receive from the Saints even though the Demon King, Apollion is sealed.
"That's right, Avory. Saints still protects us even after the Demon King was captured. And we still need their protection until now." Surprisingly, Aynnah raised her hand to ask Randelle a question. "Why do we still need their protection? Wasn't the Demon King sealed anyway?"
Exactly my question. It's not like humans gain anything from doing so, aside from the protection we no longer need.
"Listen, Princesses. Even though the Demon King can't harm us anymore, there are still demons lurking around us. They may be small-time demons but their evilness can affect us badly. Especially the seven Demon Lords." The seven Demon Lords, I already knew about them, although they do not cause any issues during these past centuries and just continues to reign in hell.
'Apollion, are you there?' I strike a conversation with Apollion through my mind, I want to ask about what the seven Demon Lords are up to now.
["I don't know where the seven Demon Lords are, or what are they up to. Ask me another question."] I didn't even asked it yet!
'No, I have nothing to ask for now. Damn, and here I thought you're gonna be helpful.'
["Tsk. Those seven idiots are moving on their own, I couldn't even bother with them. If I could, I should have asked them to release me from here instead."] Well, point proven.
As the lesson goes on, a sudden visit from an unexpected person interrupted the lecture. His presence is undoubtedly cannot be ignored even if you try to.
"Oh, I see Aynnah is also here. Did you took a liking to sir Randelle's lectures as well?" His voice made my chest tight and I can't control my eyes being watery all of a sudden. This is the first time he's visited me, even in my previous life, we only see each other when I am attending official conferences and important banquets, and we rarely even talk at all.
"Oh, father! What are you doing here?" Aynnah greeted him, so as Randelle. "It is such a pleasure to be blessed with Your Majesty's presence." Yet I remain still, I don't even know what to react. My hatred started to creep in me, I want to burst out my anger, sadness, and anxieties.
I felt his gaze bore into my back as I kept silent. "Aren't you going to greet your father?" He asked in a serious tone. Randelle also looked at my way, wondering what is going on. "My lady, show a proper courtesy by greeting Your Majesty." I can't, you fool!
I fucking can't do that! If I fucking open my mouth, it will be curses that will greet him. I clench my fist harder to contain my negative emotions, the numbness prevents me from feeling any pain even though I am starting to dig my nails into my skin.
"Princess Avory?" Randelle called to me once more. "Sister Avory, father's here to see us." Aynnah also urged me. Just fuck off!
I am this close to exploding when Apollion promplty spoke to me.
["Lily, I grew a second tail. Wanna see?"]
'Huh?- wha-?' My attention shifted and my emotion is slowly getting under my control.
["Make sure you exact your revenge and free me from here so that you can see my second tail."] I don't know if he's joking or serious, but now I don't feel suffocated like earlier.
'Yeah, sure...'
I finally turned to look at my father who's waiting for me to greet him. "Forgive me for my late greetings, for I have been in so much awe that you blessed us with your presence today. It is a pleasure to have you here, Your Majesty." I greeted him with a perfect curtsy. "Hmp. Took you long enough. In any case, I am here to check things out since I heard that Avory did something good while outside the palace. The noblemen are talking about it as well, they are starting to turn this into a political matter and is willing to support you as the crown princess." His gaze turned pensive. "Don't make mistakes from now on. Never disappoint me, either. I am looking forward to what you're capable of, Avory." His words are strict, as always. This pressure of meeting his expectations are the same as from my previous life.
"I understand, Your Majesty." I don't know if I am imagining things or I did saw him frown for a second there upon hearing my response. "Well, I better get going. I have a few works to attend to. Sir Randelle, continue your lessons." He excused himself and left the library. I can still feel the tension, somehow. But at least now I can breathe more comfortably.
My eyes instinctively turned to Aynnah who's been very quiet ever since I started to speak to father earlier. Her eyes are boring into me, like a knife that's ready to pierce me. I also noticed her clenching her fists then without any words, she left the library hall, almost stomping her way out. "Is Aynnah alright?" Randelle asked. "She probably had her fill of your lectures so she walked out. Let's continue." Whatever her problem is, I don't want to dread on it for now. The thing is, I am quite thankful for Apollion for calming me there earlier.
'Apollion, you there?' I called.
["What?"]
'Thanks. If you hadn't spoke to me, I would have probably made a scene earlier.'
["I don't remember you owing me a gratitude. Just listen to your lectures and stop talking to me."]
One moment I wanted to thank him, then he ruins it by saying impolite things!
'Fine! Suit yourself, Leon.'
["Leon?"] He sounded confused.
Since he called me Lily earlier, might as well give him a nickname.
["Hey, answer me."]
I refused to give him a response as he ordered me to stop talking to him earlier. Taste your own medicine!
["Hey..."]
["Reinngold!"]
Shut up, I am not talking to you.
— to be continued...